Anthrax is a spore-forming bacteria known as bacillus anthracis that infects both domesticated and wild herbivore animals such as cattle, sheep, or goats. There are three forms of this disease: cutaneous, inhalation, and gastrointestinal.

The cutaneous, or skin infection form of the disease is the most common type of anthrax and is caused by handling infected material from an animal such as hides, hair, or wool. It usually enters through a cut in the skin near the face, neck, or arms where they are exposed and can take two to seven days to incubate. At first the exposed skin area will itch, with a small bump occurring; this becomes filled with fluid and eventually forms an ulcer with a black (necrotic) center. Swelling of the lymph glands under the arm can also occur as the disease advances. This form is highly treatable with antibiotics; if it is not treated, 1 in 20 individuals will die from it. Read the rest of this entry »